Mary's Wedding

It's not often that a person gets to be a part of a project that resonates deep in the core of their being. But when the perfect match does come along it announces itself with a resounding “Yes!” ringing out from the soul. For me the perfect pairing came in the form of a show, Mary's Wedding, by Stephen Massicotte. It is one of those miraculous projects that causes my heart, mind and soul to celebrate the truth and beauty of life with a sort of joyous rapture. It has been nothing short of a gift from God. I knew, from the moment my hands began to lower the script after reading it for the first time, that I must be a part of this show.

You can imagine then the celebration and relief with which I received the news that I had in fact been cast to play Mary. I was, in short, ecstatic. Following quickly upon the heels of this exultation however, was a realization that because this story was so dear to my heart; because it harmonized so well with my own beliefs, passions and convictions that I felt as though its truths somehow laid bare my own soul, my own inner most fears and desires; because of these things I realized that it was desperately important to me that I succeed in telling this story and sharing it with the audience. And that is when the terror set in. It was the terror of somehow failing to honour this amazing story, and the very real history and humanity that it represents.

This terror plagued me for a number of months until the rehearsal process began, at which point it doubled in intensity

We worked hard, and I learned. Oh Lord, how I learned! I learned by hearing and internalizing the insightful and wise words of our director Morris Ertman. I learned from watching and analyzing my dear cast mate, Karl Sine's, process of creation. I learned by taking in and letting go. I learned, I learned, and I learned. And at the end of each day I arrived home exhausted, collapsed on the couch, and with wide eyes staring at my husband asked, “What have I gotten myself in to?”

In all truth, the rehearsal process was actually quite wonderful. I had the privilege of spending every day with Morris Ertman, a man who instills in me a sense of awe; Karl Sine, who is not only a wonderfully talented man but a dear friend to both me and my husband; Alysa Van Haastert, who is such a beautiful young woman everyone should be so lucky as to spend 8 hours a day in her company; and Justin Born, who I am so proud to have known since our first days together as Certificate students, 3 short years ago.

Opening night swiftly arrived, and not since my wedding day have I been so terrified and overjoyed all at once. I took the stage trembling, fearful that I was about to make a gigantic fool of myself. But I soon discovered that audiences love and believe in this story and its characters just as much as I do. And though the terror is still there to some degree, I look forward to each and every show. It will be terribly sad when our little team finally has to say goodbye to Mary and Charlie and Flowers. But we will leave knowing that we have been blessed to be a part of something truly wonderful and what's more, devastatingly beautiful. And who can ask for anything more than that?

Heather Pattengale